Sharpener for safety razor blades



April 14, 1942.

c. METZLER SHARPENER FOR SAFETY mzon BLADES Filed April-30, 1940- Patented Apr. 14, 1942 UNETED STAT E S EN? iOtFFlC E 7 2,279,634 I snAnrENEa FOR SAFETY nezoncmnns Charles Metzler, Cincinnati, Ohio Application April 30, 1940, Serial No. 332,568

Claims.

The present invention relates to a sharpener for safety razor blades and is adapted particularly for use in connection with Gillette safety razors and their blades.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a simple and efi'icient sharpener for safety razor blades of the type mentioned. After a safety razor blade of the type mentioned has been used, the edge becomes blunt by reason of the turning over of certain of the minute serrations or teeth which under magnification are seen to constitute the cutting edge of the blade. When these turned serrations are again straightened by being pushed back into the original plane, the blade is then again suitable for use. The present invention provides an attachment for the razor itself which may be used for the sharpening of the blade edges.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sharpening attachment to be used on the razor v head itself in connection with the regular razor handle for the sharpening of a dull blade which has been removed from the razor head.

Further objects of the invention will appear from the fOllOWiIlg detailed description thereof.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a plan View of my new safety razor blade sharpener before the same has been bent to fit the razor head.

Figure 2 is a section on line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an elevation showing the sharpener attached to the razor in position for use.

Figure 4 is an elevation showing the use of the sharpener.

My new safety razor blade sharpener consists of a sharpening element l which is mounted on a metal plate 2, as shown in Figure 2, the lateral edges of the plate being bent to form gripping flanges 3-3, thus effectually securing the sharpening element. The element l consists of a rubber or other suitable surface lamination 4 which is mounted on a fabric or other suitable base lamination 5. The sharpener assembled as described and illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 is then bent to the shape shown in Figure 3. In this form it. is adapted to slide upon the head 6 of a safety razor blade of the Gillette type, the inturned flanges 1-1 of the sharpener resting against the back of the head in proximity of the threaded stud 8 which is adapted to receive the handle 9 of the razor, and the studs 8a of the head. When so mounted the central portion of the sharpener rests against the central portion of the face 8 of the head 6, and the edge portions Ill and H of the sharpener are somewhat displaced from the face of head 6, thus leaving spaces I2l'2 between the lateral portions of the sharpener and corresponding portions of the head. In order to mount the sharpener on the razor head, the handle is either wholly or partially removed from the head and the sharpener pushed on to the head. The handle may then be remounted on the stud 8 thus securing the sharpener.

In Figure 4 I have indicated the use of my new sharpener. In such use the blade 13 is laid flat 7 upon some smooth surface 14 as for instance glass or smooth metal preferably. The sharpener is then pushed or drawn in either of the directions of the arrows in Figure 4 over the edge to be sharpened. In this action the springy nature of the sharpener which is given full play by reason of the spaces t2 between the sharpener and head, cooperates with the resilience of the sharpening surface 4 to smooth the minute serrations of the blade edge thus sharpening the same. The sharpening function is of course directly served by the frictionally abrandant nature of the surface 4 of the sharpener.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided an extremely simple and inexpensive sharpening device which may be readily attached to the razor itself and which is moreover simple in its operation. The sharpening of a used blade may thus be expeditiously and effectually accomplished, thus obviating the expenseand annoyance .of frequent replacements of blades.

Having thus fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A device of the character specified comprising a sharpener element adapted to fit upon the head of a safety razor, said element having flanges arranged to form channels to receive opposite edges of said head, the edges of said flanges being adapted to be engaged by the handle of said razor whereby said elementis secured to said head.

2. A device of the character specified comprising a sharpener element adapted to fit upon the head of a safety razor, a frictionally abrandant outer surface on said element, said element having flanges arranged to form channels to receive opposite edges of said head, the edges of said flanges being adapted to be engaged by the handle of said razor whereby said element is secured to said head.

3. A device of the character specified comprisin a sharpener element adapted to fit upon the head of a safety razor, said element having flanges arranged to form channels to receive opposite edges of said head, the edges of said flanges being adapted to be engaged by the handle of said razor whereby said element is secured to said head and the curve of said element being arranged to leave lateral spaces between said element and head.

4. A device of the character specified comprisment being arranged to leave lateral spaces between said element and head.

5. A device of the character specified comprising a metal plate, a sharpening element slightly narrower than said plate, the edges of said plate being bent upon said element to secure the plate 'and element together and the assembly of plate and element being bent so as to form a cylindrical sharpening section and lateral flanges arranged to form channels to receive opposite edges of said head, the edges of said flanges being adapted to be secured by the handle of said razor whereby the device may be secured to the head of a safety razor.

CHARLES METZLER. 

